6 Top Online PhD in Nursing Education Under $52,000

Nurse educators are in high demand! And an online PhD in nursing education is the best way to get the credentials to help further the development of the profession of nursing. Become one of the heroes of our health care system by using your skills in education, research, and leadership to teach the next generation of nursing professionals. You can even communicate with the general population about health topics and expand the reach of important research to improve patient outcomes. By enrolling in one of the affordable nurse educator online programs we have listed below, you can continue your job, your family life, and work towards this valuable career upgrade from anywhere.

Article Navigation: What is a PhD in Nursing Education? | Online PhD in Nursing Education Programs | Top 6 Online PhD in Nursing Education Under $52,000 | Cost & Length of Nurse Educator Online Programs | Admission Requirements for a PhD in Nursing Education | BSN Entry vs. MSN Entry into an Online Nursing Education PhD | Nurse Educator Certification | Nurse Educator Jobs | Apply Today!

What is a PhD in Nursing Education?

An online PhD in nursing education program is an advanced, doctoral-level academic degree. It’s intended to train the next generation of nurse teachers and professors. Rather than working “in the field” as a practicing nurse, PhD graduates teach other current and aspiring nurses. PhDs in nursing education also prepare you to carry out research to further the nursing field (and nursing education field, which is related but distinct).

Doctoral Research for Nursing PhD Online Programs

If you attend an online nursing PhD program, keep in mind that a lot of your program will focus on planning, carrying out, and analyzing nursing research. All PhD degrees are researched-focused.  Graduates must progress their fields of study in some way in order to earn their degrees.

The doctoral research you’ll complete for a nursing PhD online could cover potential topics such as:

• Learning theories and teaching methods that work well for nurses and nurse educators
• Developing curriculums and programs for nurses and nurse educators
• Nurse methodologies and medical practices
• Advancements in health policies
• And more

In essence, your doctoral research must progress the nursing and nursing education fields. You’ll need to create your own research plan. You also work with an advisor to iron out the kinks, then carry it out over time.

Because of their faculty, resources, or academic focuses, certain schools may prioritize certain types of research over others. Keep this in mind as you research the right doctorate in nursing education online for your needs. The kind of research a school is known for could help you determine which program is best for your academic goals overall.

Online PhD in Nursing Education Programs

Nurses with a master’s degree can have different areas of practice. But for those who want to take their careers to the next level, a doctorate can further or change their career path. This allows all their experience and training to come together in a nurse educator specialty. In this case, most people who go into nursing teaching will have experience as an advanced practice nurse and may have one or more areas of specialization. Adding an online PhD in nursing education will give you the skills and knowledge about teaching that will be important in training nurses at all levels.

There are two different types of degrees at the doctoral level for nurse educators:

• The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and
• The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Both degree types will cover intensive research skills and have rigorous instruction in theory. However, the DNP in nursing education will have more of a focus on practice, while the PhD is slightly more geared towards research. Both degrees can be used to go into teaching as either an academic or clinical nurse educator. Choosing a doctorate of nursing education specialty doesn’t limit one to nursing teaching, but for those who wish to teach, it is one of the best doctoral concentrations to choose.

The Online Factor

PhDs in nursing education are available online and on-campus. However, there are key differences between these programs. To begin with, on-campus programs allow greater access to faculty and research resources (in some cases). Depending on the program and its format, students may also be required to live on campus or pay for housing near their campus to complete their work consistently.

Online PhDs in nursing education programs, however,  are often more flexible in terms of scheduling and lecture attendance. Lecture resources may be available asynchronously. In other words, they can be downloaded and viewed at one’s own pace. So long as work is completed on time or by a set deadline.

Furthermore, PhD nursing education online programs are available to a wider range of students who live far from their campuses. These online programs still require students to connect with their committee or doctoral degree advisors, but meetings will occur online via teleconferencing software.

In some nurse educator online programs, there are brief campus visits required for orientation, seminars, oral comprehensive exams, and dissertation defense. Courses can vary, but curriculum will include nursing theory, research methods, educational strategies, and either a dissertation or research project. Programs may have slightly different course content, but all will cover the basics and expect you to do research to advance the field of nursing education.

There are no significant differences in terms of credit requirements between accredited online and on-campus nursing education doctorates. PhD nursing programs online often let students defend their dissertations online instead of having to travel to the campus in-person, though this is not universally true.

Top 6 Online PhD in Nursing Education Under $52,000

1. University of Nevada-Las Vegas

   Degree: PhD in Nursing Education
   Total Cost (In-State): $18,339
   Total Cost (Out-of-State): $26,817

   First, check out the online PhD in Nursing Education from University of Nevada-Las Vegas. It offers students with different academic backgrounds an efficient pathway to becoming a nursing educator. Applicants are eligible for admission to the 62-credit Education Track if they have either an MSN degree or a bachelor’s degree in nursing plus a health-related master’s degree. Those who have completed their MSN with the equivalent of four of the PhD in nursing education online courses are eligible to finish on an accelerated track of 50 credits.

   For students who hold a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree, the program offers an even more accelerated program totaling 45 credits, with 18 credits from their DNP counting towards the PhD. Students can choose a part-time or full-time schedule. Also, students are admitted for a fall start to the nurse educator online programs. The coursework is all online, but students will need to come to campus for:

   – A brief orientation during their first semester
   – To take the comprehensive exam, proposal defense, and final dissertation defense

   The Curriculum

   The curriculum includes 33 credits of core coursework for all degree candidates. It includes Knowledge Development in Nursing, The Nurse as Leader, Statistical Methods for Nursing, and Writing a Research Grant Application. For those who need to take the courses in the nursing education part of the degree program, courses include Course Level Evaluation Strategies for Nurse Educators and Independent Teaching Practicum Seminar. All candidates will then take an oral and written comprehensive exam before progressing to the dissertation, which comprises 12 credits of work.

   Students should note that the program does not result in nurse educator certification and may not be available for online study in all states. Applicants should have a 3.5 GPA from their master’s degree, completion of a statistics course within the last 5 years of education with a B or better, and GRE scores for those who don’t have a DNP degree. The doctor of philosophy in nursing education from UNLV is a flexible and affordable program, allowing credit for previous coursework and the option of full or part time enrollment.

   Find Out More:
   University of Nevada - Las Vegas

    

2. Southern Adventist University

   Degree: DNP Specialist Program in Nursing Education
   Total Cost (In-State & Out-of-State): $41,625

   Southern Adventist University offers the online DNP with an emphasis in Nurse Educator to students who possess a nursing master’s degree, but also as a BSN to DNP option for those who have not yet taken the master’s degree. With start dates in the fall or spring, the program accepts US and international students. There are also monthly payment plans to make financing your doctorate easier and federal student aid or employer education assistance are available to many students in the program. Applicants just need a 3.0 GPA on their master’s degree. No graduate exam scores are required to apply to this nurse educator online program. For students who appreciate a Christian perspective in their nursing education, the program from Southern Adventist University is a terrific choice.

   The Curriculum

   Curriculum in the DNP program addresses core nurse educator competencies, with courses in epidemiology and biostatistics, scholarly project development, and clinical and simulation instruction. Prerequisites to the core courses include Health Promotion in addition to advanced classes in pharmacology, pathophysiology, and health assessment. The education specific part of the program has courses like Nursing Curriculum Design, Technology & the Educator, and Orientation to Educator Role Practicum. Students can also choose electives in theory and research, Christian leadership, technology, or healthcare policy and finance.

   Online students will need to register for an on-campus seminar each fall while completing their program. Completion of the program does not require a dissertation. For students who seek an emphasis on nursing practice in their education work, this program has a robust curriculum with an affordable price tag.

   Find Out More:
   DNP Specialist Certificate Program in Nursing Education

    

3. Grand Canyon University

   Degree: DNP in Educational Leadership
   Total Cost (In-State & Out-of-State): $34,800

   The online DNP in Educational Leadership from Grand Canyon University has short 8-week courses. It’s excellent for those who seek to improve the healthcare system and practice in one of the many nurse educator jobs that are changing the future of healthcare delivery. On the whole, the degree applies student knowledge as clinical nurse educators or in academic settings with evidence-based practice.

   The Curriculum

   The degree has 48 credits, three of which can be transfer credits. The core curriculum of this program includes Emerging Areas of Human Health, Translational Research & Evidence-Based Practice, Patient Outcomes & Sustainable Change, Curriculum Design & Assessment, and Data Analysis. The final 12 credits of the program are to prepare an evidence-based research project designed to:

   – Improve patient care
   – Implement the project to gather data
   – Analyze/evaluate outcomes

   The workshop format for the final project gives students the support they need to formulate a practical research topic and follow through by documenting their learning goals. Each of the three courses in the final project portion of the degree lasts for 16 weeks. At the same time, the core courses are in 8-week blocks.

   Applicants to the doctoral program need to have an earned master’s or doctorate with a 3.4 GPA, but those with GPAs above 3.0 may be admitted with conditions. Applicants should also have taken a statistics course with a grade of C or above. With a Christian perspective on education, the program stimulates personal and professional growth to produce compassionate servant leaders in the nursing field.

   Graduates may find nurse educator jobs as nursing executives or advanced practice nurses working directly with patients. Also, working in academia with practice-based nursing programs, or by pursuing further specialization in education. Overall, graduates may work in hospitals, clinics, public health offices, research facilities, physicians offices, or independent practice. Clinical nurse educator salaries are some of the highest, so settings where they can teach practical skills can be a great choice. With a goal of using nursing practice to improve patient care, this doctoral program provides advanced skills and knowledge to generate and implement new ideas that can improve healthcare for all.

   Find Out More:
   DNP in Educational Leadership

    

4. Liberty University

   Degree: PhD in Nursing Education
   Total Cost (In-State & Out-of-State): $39,970

   Liberty University’s 100% online PhD in Nursing Education is offered in convenient 8-week classes. It comprises 60 credits, and takes most students three years to complete. Another bonus is the fact that up to 50% of credits can be transferred in! Students who are looking for a program where they can complete a doctorate that they have begun elsewhere may find a very quick path to receiving their degree.

   With multiple start dates per year, military discounts on tuition, and low costs overall, Liberty’s program makes an excellent choice for healthcare practice, patient advocacy, and research. With a well-developed online platform and the flexibility to help students complete their studies around busy professional and home lives, Liberty’s PhD in nursing education online delivers excellence with integrity.

   The Curriculum

   While classes are delivered asynchronously in an 8-week format, students can opt to join synchronous sessions. Synchronous sessions are are offered most weeks to interact more with faculty and peers. Taught by Christian faculty committed to student success, students will learn how to apply ethical decision-making to the nursing profession based on a biblical worldview. The curriculum is divided into four sections:

   – Doctoral
   – Nursing education
   – Research core courses
   – Dissertation courses

   The class titles included in the program include Nursing Theory Development, Learning Theories & Teaching Methods for Nurse Educators, Advanced Education Statistics, Grant Writing & Publication, Advanced Qualitative Methods of Nursing Research, and Assessment & Accreditation for Nursing Programs. Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA, have no grades lower than a B-, and complete the program within 7 years. Applicants need to have a 3.0 GPA from their master’s degree for admission in good standing. Also, at least one year of practice as a registered nurse. For students who want to work in administration, policy, or research, or who plan to go into academia, the Liberty University nursing teaching doctorate is a great option.

   Find Out More:
   PhD in Nursing Education

    

5. University of Northern Colorado

   Degree: PhD in Nursing Education
   Total Cost (In-State & Out-of-State): $46,596

   For a program that builds strong relationships with peers and faculty, the online PhD in Nursing Education from UNCO offers the degree in a cohort format. Students progress through education with the same group of peers. Most courses are online, but students will need to come for a 2-day visit to campus and then the 3-day Nurse Educator Conference in July before they start the program. Each cohort starts in the fall semester, and the full 66-credit program takes four years to complete. Additional short campus visits will be required for oral comprehensive exams, proposal hearing, and dissertation defense.

   Admission to the program is competitive, and applications are due by March 1 for the following fall start. Applicants will need to submit all of their materials, which usually include the GRE scores, before that date. International students are welcome.

   The Curriculum

   The curriculum is designed to prepare excellent nurse educators, who are in high demand in Colorado as well as around the country. The program is arranged in sections of core courses, nursing education, electives, research core, and dissertation. A sampling of courses include Advanced Concepts of Vulnerable Populations, Leadership in Health Policy, Scholarship of Teaching & Practice in Nursing Education, and Design, Methods, & Analysis in Health Care Research.

   With the ability to choose electives, students can tailor their nurse educator specialties to their interests. The program is very structured, with goals and evaluations clearly outlined throughout the four year program. Once students pass the written and oral comprehensive exams, they begin research on their dissertation topic, which has been developed and approved during the course of study. With a strong academic program, support from peers and faculty, and a school devoted to excellence in research and scholarship, the PhD from UNCO is one of the best nurse educator online programs. Especially for students who seek exceptional education at an affordable price so they can become leaders, educators, and researchers.

   Find Out More:
   PhD in Nursing Education

    

6. Walden University

   Degree(s): PhD in Nursing Education BSN Entry; MSN Entry
   Total Cost (In-State and Out-of-State) for BSN Entry: $51,150
   Total Cost (In-State and Out-of-State) for MSN Entry: $47,275

   Walden University offers two tracks to earn a PhD in nursing education depending on whether you have a bachelor’s degree in nursing or a master’s.

   BSN to PhD Track

   The BSN to PhD track requires 106 quarter credits to be completed. In addition, you must attend a doctoral seminar in person. Your dissertation accounts for 20 quarter credits, and you must complete four PhD residencies during your second, fourth, sixth, eighth terms. Fortunately, this program has several start dates throughout the year. Some students may qualify for special $5000 grants if they start the program by certain dates (they change throughout the year).

   MSN to PhD Track

   The MSN to PhD track only requires 81 quarter credits instead to reflect a student’s graduate-level education. They must complete a doctoral seminar and PhD residencies as mentioned above. Students from both tracks have eight years to complete the doctoral program without petitioning for an extension.

   In addition, students from both tracks benefit from doctoral degree coaches. Each student receives a coach who will help you keep track of their progress, assist with identifying research opportunities, and more. All students further take advantage of state-of-the-art learning technologies like interactive simulations, high-quality media recordings and lectures, and case studies. The curriculum includes coursework specifically focused on remote learning and distance education tactics and techniques so that PhD graduates can effectively teach nursing students from afar.

   If you’re having trouble paying for the program, Walden’s enrollment specialists may be able to help. These specialists assist online students with outlining a plan and help connect students to scholarships, grants, and other financial aid opportunities. The majority of students complete their PhD programs here within 3 to 6 years, as well.

   Ultimately, the program preps all PhD students with the knowledge they need to create high-impact and accurate nursing curricula that result in well-trained nurses in the future. Furthermore, the coursework in this nursing PhD program is fully aligned with the National League of Nursing’s Core Competencies for Academic Nurse Educators. This could be a particularly good sign for students who want to become nurse professors or teachers immediately after graduation.

   Find Out More:
   PhD in Nursing Education BSN Entry
   MSN Entry

    

Cost & Length of Nurse Educator Online Programs

There is a lot to learn and practice as you study for your doctoral degree. Most programs accommodate students who continue to work in their careers during the program. Therefore, most nurse educator programs take at least three years to complete. Many programs take significantly more. For example, some have a set pathway for the program, with a cohort of students progressing through courses together. But others will allow students to take longer to finish as they fit their classes in around a busy life.

For example, Walden University’s BSN to PHD program requires 106 quarter credits and the completion of four PhD residencies. These requirements typically take around 6 years to complete, but students have up to 8 years if needed. The MSN to PHD program from Walden requires 81 quarter credits and four PhD residencies, so it may take four years or so instead. Fortunately, most online schools know that PhD programs must be completed simultaneously while raising a family or maintaining a career. Therefore, there are usually full-time and part-time options for online students.

If you are investing your time in a doctoral nurse educator program, you want it to be high quality. But you don’t need to spend a mint to gain the nurse educator competencies of this degree. The doctoral programs on our list start at around $15k for the whole program, and range up to about $51k. With financial aid, scholarships, military discounts, and employer education assistance, you may well pay less than even these modest prices for a multi-year program. Other nurse educator online programs can cost as much as $80k. But the schools on our list will give you both quality and affordability.

Admission Requirements for a PhD in Nursing Education

Most nursing PhD programs online have fairly similar admission requirements. These typically include:

• An overall GPA average from previous schooling of 3.0 or higher (undergraduate) or 3.5 or higher (graduate)
• An application fee
• A Bachelor of Science in Nursing or higher credential, like an MSN
• Course prerequisites, such as courses in graduate-level statistics, advanced nursing research, etc.
• Letters of recommendation from current or former employers or professors
• Completion of an essay that can be anywhere from three paragraphs long to several pages long

Students looking to attend an online nursing PhD program should research the admission requirements carefully. This is the best way to ensure that you qualify for the program you want to join. If you don’t, you can shore up your application before sending it into your favorite university.

BSN Entry vs. MSN Entry into an Online Nursing Education PhD

BSN Entry online nursing education PhD programs only require applicants to have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. However, they also prefer applicants to have some amount of clinical work experience. The more clinical experience you have, the greater your chances are of getting into your preferred PhD program. These programs may include some advanced or graduate-level courses to provide students with the education they need to succeed. Such topics might cover concepts like:

• Advanced nursing techniques
• Nurse education methodologies
• Building healthcare communities
• Healthcare in different cultures

BSN Entry programs take anywhere from 3 ½ years to eight years to complete on average. They may require over 100 quarter credits or equivalent from your university of choice.

However, if you already have a Master of Science in Nursing degree, you could qualify for MSN Entry program. If this is the case, you’ll have to complete fewer credits compared to students with bachelor’s degrees. That’s because you already have the graduate-level knowledge necessary to thrive in this industry. MSN Entry programs also take anywhere from three and half to eight years to complete, but many students complete them faster than BSN Entry programs because there are fewer credit requirements. These programs still require the completion of core courses, research methods courses, and dissertations. They often have about 30% fewer required credits compared to BSN Entry programs.

Both BSN and MSN Entry programs require the same overall course and research requirements from PhD students. The big differences are time and cost.

BSN Entry programs take more time and money since students don’t have completed master’s-level courses under their belts. MSN Entry programs take less time and money in comparison, so they could be ideal if you wish to acquire your PhD as quickly as possible and as affordably as you can.

Nurse Educator Certification

Though not required in many cases, taking the test to become a certified nurse educator (CNE) administered by the National League for Nursing is a good confirmation of your skills. However, nurse educator online programs that confer the doctoral degree will be a higher credential, allowing graduates to not only teach nursing, but to occupy leadership roles in workforce development, research, policy, and more.

Certified nurse educator prep courses are much shorter and less involved. In particular, they can be helpful as a stepping-stone as you become an educator. If you want to sit for the exam to become a CNE or a Certified Academic Clinical Nurse Educator, the process requires you to have your master’s degree and some training in education. You may wish to take a certified nurse educator prep course if you are sitting for the exam, as this can help you prepare for the specific nurse educator competencies you will be tested on. Depending on the doctoral nurse educator online program you are taking, you may be able to sit for the exam without taking a certified nurse educator prep course.

The upshot is that you can teach at certain levels with just the master’s degree and a nurse educator certification. But for most faculty positions, the PhD or DNP is either required or strongly encouraged. All things considered, to be at the forefront of the nursing teaching profession, an online PhD in nursing education is the gold standard and gives you the credential that will allow you the most opportunities in teaching.

Nurse Educator Jobs

While some nurse educators continue to see patients while they teach, many will go into teaching full time. The average nurse educator salary is $84,180, but the top ten percent of nurse educator salaries are over $127k. While nurse educators work in settings like universities, trade schools, junior colleges, and business schools, some also work in hospital or clinical settings. Clinical nurse educator salaries for those who work in hospital and surgical settings can be on the higher side of the nurse educator salary range.

Because the need for workforce development is high in nursing, there is a growing demand for more educators to keep the nursing positions in our healthcare system staffed. For practice nurses, teaching can bring in the higher clinical nurse educator salary. This makes teaching not only great for developing the nursing workforce, but rewarding financially for those who choose to teach. The job outlook is also very good for nurse educators, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicting 18% job growth between 2022 and 2032, which is far above the average of 4% for all occupations.

Apply Today!

With these affordable nurse educator online programs, students can find a program that fits their budget and their schedule to obtain their PhD in nursing education online. If you want to become a certified nurse educator, pursuing an online PhD in nursing education allows you to improve your career while you continue to work in your current job. See which program is right for you.